Why Liverpool are favourites to beat Tottenham

Share

Topics

Tottenham host Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with both sides looking to further their ambitions of a top-four finish this season.

Both teams have had a couple of encouraging results of late, and can close the gap on league leaders Arsenal with three points here.

Although Tottenham have won the last six games against Liverpool at home, the visitors may well fancy their chances today for a number of reasons.

Spurs will not be able to contain Suarez

Luis Suarez is undoubtedly the form striker in England at the moment, and has already netted 15 Premier League goals in 10 appearances this season.

Shackling the pace and trickery of the Uruguayan is going to be a real concern for Spurs, who are down to their bare bones at the back.

With their best defender Jan Vertonghen injured, and both Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul doubtful for the clash, it is likely that the hosts will field cumbersome Michael Dawson and midfielder Etienne Capoue in the heart of their rearguard.

As such, Spurs will have real issues in trying to contain Suarez, which could be the difference between two evenly matched sides.

Hard work in midfield can stifle Spurs’ creativity

Christian Eriksen made a substitute cameo against Anzhi Makhachkala in midweek, but Lewis Holtby is likely to regain his place as the side’s main creative player in midfield.

However, Spurs have struggled to score at home, netting only seven times at White Hart Lane this season. Part of the problem has been a lack of supply to the main striker, with Tottenham finding it difficult to break down regimented and committed opponents.

Although Steven Gerrard is sidelined with a hamstring injury, the midfield will comprise the likes of Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen – all hardworking midfielders that will close down their oppositions’ space.

If this trio can limit the influence of Holtby, Tottenham could well find it hard to create chances for their attacking players.

Liverpool’s pace in wide areas

One of Tottenham’s main weaknesses is at full-back, with the positional sense of both Kyle Walker and Danny Rose repeatedly under question.

Both have attacking tendencies and can be guilty of ball-watching; something that Brendan Rodgers will hope to take advantage of.

With the pace and trickery of widemen such as Philippe Coutinho, Victor Moses and Raheem Sterling, and marauding full-backs, Liverpool could certainly get some joy in wide areas, and will look to get in behind Spurs’ back four.

Comments (3)

I wuld luv to see kelly start at rb and johnson on left back gives us more balance but do admit flano is doing a good job just hope he can handle lennon and walker today and dnt get caught out gud luck guys ynwa

Would that be ‘Spurs won’t be able to contain Luis Suarez’ is the same way that Hull wouldn’t have been able to contain Luis Suarez’? It will be a fight and there is no way of guaranteeing that Suarez will come out on top. Especially if, as is highly likely, Spurs control the midfield and cut off the supply line to him. Much like United completely failed to replace Paul Scholes, Liverpool don’t really have a replacement for Steven Gerard – and now he is out. That is where this game will be decided IMHO.